By By Matthew Nascone
A seventh-inning surge by the Northview softball team was not enough to overcome district rival Walton High School, as they lost 10-9.
The Lady Chiefs (5-3, 2-1 in Florida High School Athletic Association Class 2B District 1 play) put together a four-run seventh inning to tie the game at 9-9, but they were unable to retaliate to Walton's score in the eighth inning.
"That was a tough loss," NHS head coach Sammy Day said. "But they battled back and I was proud of them."
Hannah Gunter led off the seventh with a single to right field. Stephanie Covan followed her with a bloop single to center field. Two batters later Nikki Crabtree doubled to right field, scoring Covan.
Kayla Presley singled to center, bringing Darbi Langhorne home. Langhorne had reached on a fielder's choice. Crystal Hollingsworth came in as a pinch runner for Presley. Crabtree then scored on a fielder's choice and Hollingsworth crossed the plate on a single by Rachel Killam to end the scoring in the seventh.
Caitlyn Spence took the loss for the Lady Chiefs as she went the distance and allowed 10 runs on 10 hits. She struck out seven batters and walked or hit 10 others.
Day said defensively his team was solid and they were led by Presley.
"Kayla did well behind the plate," Day said. "She threw out a runner early in the game and they didn't run on her after that."
Presley was 2-for-4 at the plate. Nikki Crabtree was 2-for-4 and she had a double. Gunter and Stephanie Covan both went 3-for-5 with two runs scored.